Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for January 14, 2022

WUGA | By Chris Shupe,

Published January 18, 2022 at 10:06 AM EST

This week on Athens News Matters, three ACC Commissioners join us to discuss the highly debated local commission district map that could result in them losing their seats under the new map. Tim Denson joins the team to give an update on two major initiatives related to the county's housing crisis. Reporter-producer Alllison Salerno shares a story from the UGA School of Social Work: a professor's innovative way to address particular challenges faced by the Asian immigrant community coping with domestic violence. The Athens Area Humane Society will host a 'Homes for All' Birthday Celebration in honor of Betty White. WUGA celebrates the Georgia Bulldog's win to become college football's National Champions. Our panel breaks down the week in news and politics in the Athens area.

Athens News Matters

Chris Shupe

Chris Shupe was the Program Director of WUGA from 2014-2022. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! After two years as a part-time announcer, Chris Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director. He was later promoted to PD in 2014.

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Alexia Ridley

Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!

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Martin Matheny

Martin Matheny was formerly WUGA's Program Director and a host and producer of our local news program 'Athens News Matters.' He started at WUGA in 2012 as a part-time classical music host and still hosts WUGA's longest-running local program 'Night Music' which was heard on WUGA and GPB Classical. He is now the Morning Edition Host for Delaware First Media.

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